The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nosocomial infections: a retrospective analysis in a tertiary maternal and child healthcare hospital.

Objective: The constant changes in the control strategies of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have greatly affected the prevention and control of nosocomial infections (NIs). This study assessed the impact of these control strategies on the surveillance of NIs in a regional maternity hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This retrospective study compared the observation indicators of nosocomial infections and their changing trends in the hospital before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: In total, 2,56,092 patients were admitted to the hospital during the study. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the main drug-resistant bacteria in hospitals were Escherichia coli, Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterococcus faecalis. The detection rate of S. agalactiae increased annually, while that of E. faecalis remained the same. The detection rate of multidrug-resistant bacteria decreased during the pandemic (16.86 vs. 11.42%), especially that of CRKP (carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae 13.14 vs. 4.39, P < 0.001). The incidence of nosocomial infections in the pediatric surgery department decreased significantly (OR: 2.031, 95% CI: 1.405-2.934, P < 0.001). Regarding the source of infection, a significant reduction was observed in respiratory infections, followed by gastrointestinal infections. In the routine monitoring of the ICU, the incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) decreased significantly (9.4/1,000 catheter days vs. 2.2/1,000 catheter days, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The incidence of nosocomial infections was lower than that before the COVID-19 pandemic. The prevention and control measures for the COVID-19 pandemic have reduced the number of nosocomial infections, especially respiratory, gastrointestinal, and catheter-related infections.

Socially assistive robots for people living with dementia in long-term facilities: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to explore the immediate and long-term effects of socially assistive robots (SARs) on neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), positive emotional experiences, and social interaction in older people living with dementia. METHODS: We set keywords and used Boolean operators to search the CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, IEEE Digital Library, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Chinese Electronic Periodical Service from inception to February 2022 for randomized controlled trials. The Cochrane Collaboration bias assessment tool was used to assess article quality, and RevMan 5.4.1 software was used to conduct the meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 14 studies were included in the meta-analysis. SARs can help people living with dementia reduce their NPS of depression and anxiety, provide happiness from positive emotional experiences, and improve their social interaction through conversation. However, there was no significant improvement in agitation behavior, overall BPSD, or quality of life in people living with dementia. In follow-up, it was found that the effect of SRT was limited. CONCLUSION: Socially assistive robots can reduce depression and increase positive emotions in people living with dementia. They may also reduce the burden on healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42020169340.

SARS-CoV-2 Spike Pseudoviruses: A Useful Tool to Study Virus Entry and Address Emerging Neutralization Escape Phenotypes.

SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants are emerging around the globe. Unfortunately, several SARS-CoV-2 variants, especially variants of concern (VOCs), are less susceptible to neutralization by the convalescent and post-vaccination sera, raising concerns of increased disease transmissibility and severity. Recent data suggests that SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody levels are a reliable correlate of vaccine-mediated protection. However, currently used BSL3-based virus micro-neutralization (MN) assays are more laborious, time-consuming, and expensive, underscoring the need for BSL2-based, cost-effective neutralization assays against SARS-CoV-2 variants. In light of this unmet need, we have developed a BSL-2 pseudovirus-based neutralization assay (PBNA) in cells expressing the human angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (hACE2) receptor for SARS-CoV-2. The assay is reproducible (R2 = 0.96), demonstrates a good dynamic range and high sensitivity. Our data suggest that the biological Anti-SARS-CoV-2 research reagents such as NIBSC 20/130 show lower neutralization against B.1.351 SA (South Africa) and B.1.1.7 UK (United Kingdom) VOC, whereas a commercially available monoclonal antibody MM43 retains activity against both these variants. SARS-CoV-2 spike PBNAs for VOCs would be useful tools to measure the neutralization ability of candidate vaccines in both preclinical models and clinical trials and would further help develop effective prophylactic countermeasures against emerging neutralization escape phenotypes.